Every year in the U.S., there are millions of car accidents that kill thousands of people and injure hundreds of thousands more. Rollover accidents, in particular, can cause serious injury and death.
In a rollover accident, the vehicle rolls over so that the top of the car ends up on the ground. The impact and injuries caused by such an accident can be devastating. Let’s look at what causes these tragic accidents to get a better idea of what happens to the human body when a rollover occurs.
What Causes Rollover Accidents?
Rollover accidents are unique in that they can easily be one-vehicle accidents or multi-vehicle accidents.
Some of the leading causes of rollover accidents include:
- High wind
- Slippery roads
- Traveling at too great a speed
- Abrupt turns or lane changes
- Being broadsided by another vehicle
Some of these rollover causes are beyond a driver’s control. However, the best way to avoid a rollover is to always drive at a safe speed for the weather and road conditions. It is also important not to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol or use a cell phone when driving. Both can increase your chances of a rollover accident.
What Happens in a Rollover Accident?
When your car flips over, gravity pulls everything on the floor and seats of the car down to the top of the car, which is now on the ground. Accordingly, a driver’s and passengers’ bodies will be thrust downward, along with everything else in the car.
The answer to whether a person will survive a rollover depends on a number of different factors. For example, was the driver wearing a seatbelt? If yes, then they will likely survive the accident and sustain far less damage than someone who is not wearing a seatbelt.
But it also depends on whether or not other passengers, pets, and items are secured in the vehicle. Anything that is not secured could become a hazard once the vehicle flips over. Upon flipping over, unsecured persons or objects could strike the driver or other passengers in the car, causing serious injury or death.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in rollover accidents include:
- Broken bones
- Deep cuts
- Significant bruising
- Head or neck injuries
Again, the severity of these injuries depends on many different factors. The good news is that there are ways to minimize the danger to your body of a rollover injury.
How to Minimize Injuries in a Rollover Accident
First and most importantly, you should always wear a seatbelt when driving. Seat belts have been proven to significantly reduce the risk of death or serious injury in any kind of accident.
nd, it is also important that you secure luggage, other passengers, and pets safely in your vehicle. Anything that is loose in your car will become a harmful projectile in the event of a rollover accident.
Finally, the newer your car, the more advanced safety features it will have. Newer cars have better airbags and are engineered to prevent intrusion (the crumpling of the frame of the vehicle).
When you combine all of these measures with safe driving habits, you can greatly reduce your risk of being injured in a rollover accident.
What to Do if You are Injured in a Rollover Accident
There are still factors that are outside of your control that could cause you to sustain a significant injury in a rollover or other type of accident. Drunk or distracted drivers, poorly maintained roads, and reckless drivers can cause an accident at any time.
If you are in a rollover accident, you should consider contacting a qualified personal injury lawyer to determine whether you are eligible for significant compensation. A skilled lawyer will know what to look for and be able to tell you your chances of winning a valuable settlement or court case.
